Grell Mooncalf
Large aberration, neutral evil
- Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
- Hit Points 188 (15d10 + 105)
- Speed 20 ft., fly 80 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 24 (+7) 14 (+2) 19 (+4) 11 (+0)
- Skills Perception +8, Stealth +7
- Damage Immunities lightning
- Condition Immunities blinded, prone
- Senses blindsight 100 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 18
- Languages Grell
- Challenge 9 (5,000 xp)
Actions
Multiattack. The mooncalf can use Call Lightning if available. It then makes three attacks: two with its tentacles and one with its beak.
Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10+4) bludgeoning damage, and the target is also grappled (escape DC 16.) If the target is Large or smaller, it is also restrained until this grapple ends. When the mooncalf moves, any Large or smaller target it is grappling moves with it. The mooncalf has two tentacles, each of which can grapple only one target.
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (4d4+4) piercing damage.
Call Lightning (Recharge 5-6.) The mooncalf chooses three targets within 60 feet of it. Each target creature must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
The mooncalf can only use this ability outdoors.
Variant: Grell Philosopher
Intellectually superior grells devote themselves to the study of arcane magic or alchemy, often adorning themselves with bits of treasure found in their travels. A grell philosopher has an Intelligence of 16 (+3) and the following trait and action.
Spellcasting. The grell is a 4th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks.) The grell has the following wizard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): blade ward, mage hand, prestidigitation, shocking grasp
1st level (4 slots): charm person, fog cloud, identify, mage armor
2nd level (3 slots): invisibility, mirror image, ray of enfeeblementLightning Lance. Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (3d6) lightning damage.
Mooncalf
The subterranean grell reproduce by planting polyps on cavern walls. These mushroom-shaped growths feed on vermin as they mature, then break free and float away as juvenile grell. Sunlight stunts a polyp's growth, but moonlight accelerates it. Carefully cultivated, a grell polyp can grow to tremendous size and gain additional features, including large leathery wings and a pair of elongated tentacles without barbs. These aberrations are known as mooncalves.
Claustrophobia. Unlike most grell, mooncalves hate close, enclosed spaces. They lair on mountaintops, the tips of tall hills, abandoned towers, and other high, lonely, desolate spaces. Their natural affinity for electrical fields draws them to stormclouds, and grants some control over the weather.
Folk Tales. Surface-dwelling humanoids invent outlandish rumors about the reclusive mooncalves. Some believe that they are created from stillborn livestock. Others think they are living thunderclouds, or flew down to earth from the dark side of the moon. Such beliefs may lead to superstitious behavior, in hopes of warding off mooncalf attacks.